Belgium-based outdoor lighting specialist Schréder has acquired Australian technology company EdgeMachines, strengthening its capabilities in smart city infrastructure through advanced urban sensing and edge artificial intelligence (AI). The acquisition follows more than a year of collaboration between the two companies on intelligent lighting and sensor deployments in cities around the world.
EdgeMachines specializes in low-power sensing technology that processes information directly on connected devices rather than transmitting raw data to the cloud. This edge AI approach reduces bandwidth requirements while supporting privacy by processing sensor data locally before sending only actionable insights to city management platforms.
The acquisition will further integrate EdgeMachines’ sensing technology into Schréder EXEDRA, the company’s smart lighting management platform. By combining connected street lighting with environmental and mobility sensors, municipalities can collect real-time information on traffic flow, parking occupancy, air quality, noise levels, and pedestrian activity using existing lighting infrastructure.
A key component of the partnership is the Schréder SENSE ONE sensor, developed with EdgeMachines technology. The compact sensor is designed to connect directly to compatible street luminaires, allowing cities to add multiple digital services without installing separate sensor networks. This approach enables local governments to expand smart city capabilities while minimizing infrastructure costs and deployment complexity.
According to Schréder, the acquisition reflects a broader strategy of transforming public lighting networks into intelligent urban platforms that support data-driven decision-making. Beyond energy-efficient illumination, connected lighting infrastructure is increasingly being used to improve traffic management, environmental monitoring, public safety, and municipal operations through integrated digital services.
The transaction also highlights the growing convergence of the lighting and smart city sectors. As municipalities continue investing in connected infrastructure, lighting manufacturers are expanding beyond luminaires and controls to provide software platforms, sensors, analytics, and AI-powered services that maximize the value of existing public assets.